Chronicle of a death foretold? Europe and the unclear fate of Iran’s nuclear agreement

Policy Brief

Much has been already said about the profound sense of political myopia president Trump’s decision that he is withdrawing the United States from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) represents and the equally profound risks of greater instability and military escalation it poses for the Middle East. The Iran deal can survive an American withdrawal, but it cannot survive an Iranian one. Shaping the unclear fate of Iran’s nuclear agreement, Europe can now finally demonstrate that it does not intend to be taken as an idle bystander in this chronicle of a death foretold. For this, it needs to act. More boldly, with more unity, and greater confidence.